er to ruin me. I pray you to grant me a
few days in order to clear up this iniquitous mystery, which compromises
me in the eyes of my master the sultan and of all good Mahommedans. May
Allah grant me the means of proving my innocence, which is as pure as the
rays of the sun, although everything seems against me!"

After this conference, Ali, pretending to be engaged in a secret inquiry,
considered how he could legally escape from this predicament. He spent
some days in making plans which were given up as soon as formed, until
his fertile genius at length suggested a means of getting clear of one of
the greatest difficulties in which he had ever found himself. Sending
for a Greek whom he had often employed, he addressed him thus:

"Thou knowest I have always shown thee favour, and the day is arrived
when thy fortune shall be made. Henceforth thou shalt be as my son, thy
children shall be as mine, my house shall be thy home, and in return for
my benefits I require one small service. This accursed kapidgi-bachi has
come hither bringing certain papers signed with my seal, intending to use
them to my discredit, and thus to extort money from me. Of money I have
already given too much, and I intend this time to escape without being
plundered except for the sake of a good servant like thee. Therefore, my
son, thou shalt go before the tribunal when I tell thee, and declare
before this kapidgi-bachi and the cadi that thou hast written these
letters attributed to me, and that thou didst seal them with my seal, in
order to give them due weight and importance."

The unhappy Greek grew pale and strove to answer.

"What fearest thou, my son?" resumed Ali. "Speak, am I not thy good
master? Thou wilt be sure of my lasting favour, and who is there to
dread when I protect thee? Is it the kapidgi-bachi? he has no authority
here. I have thrown twenty as good as he into the lake! If more is
required to reassure thee, I swear by the Prophet, by my own and my sons'
heads, that no harm shall come to thee from him. Be ready, then, to do
as I tell thee, and beware of mentioning this matter to anyone, in order
that all may be accomplished according to our mutual wishes."

More terrified by dread of the pacha, from whose wrath in case of refusal
there was no chance of escape, than tempted by his promises, the Greek
undertook the false swearing required. Ali, delighted, dismissed him
with a thousand assurances of protection, and then